The long term solution is to put those has beens in a match and put over new stars. That is the proven formula to create mega stars. Remember Rocky jobbed clean to Lesnar? Just let Punk go clean against Austin, Bryan go clean over Rocky. Sandow go clean over Cena.

The fact that this is a short term solution doesn't actually mean that they aren't taking long term solutions as well. Of course their track record doesn't really show much support for long term thinking, but we still can't be sure since they must change their strategy at some point when the ratings have been going down for many years.

Well i won't ignore the fact that they ARE trying to build up new established stars too. New guys like Damien Sandow, Cesaro, Ryback are getting decent pushes with decent mic-time as well. Its just sometimes they ruin characters like they did with Sheamus, he had an awesome bad-ass gimmick until they made him a goody goody who will be yet another Cena. Why repeat same mistakes?

Also, Wade Barrett. This guy got the best push someone could possibly get back in 2010, and they followed it up awfully. At-least they still have plans for him, but i don't think i can ever forgive them for not utilizing that whole Nexus angle to establish Barrett as a main-eventer. They basically have to start all over with him.